Abstract: A composite radiation shield which provides physical and economic benefits for the shielding of radiation especially in containers for transporting radioactive material. The composite radiation shield contains rods of a high density material such as depleted uranium or tungsten. The spaces between the rods may contain smaller rods and are also backfilled with lead or other preferably high density material with a melting point lower than the material of the rods. The rod diameters and arrangement can be easily customized to accommodate any radiation shield configuration needed.

Abstract: A cask has an inner rectangular enclosure of stainless steel fitting, with a slight clearance in the similarly shaped interior of a generally rectangular body of depleted uranium serving as a gamma ray shield. A cylindrical shell surrounds the generally rectangular gamma ray shield and copper partitions divide the annular space therebetween into a plurality of compartments for a neutron absorbing liquid. Flow paths between compartments are provided without removing copper from the partitions or interrupting any radial heat conduction path of any partition. Transverse partitions in certain of the compartments provide for holding the radial thickness of the liquid generally uniform throughout the circumference of the cask.